The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a comprehensive list of prohibited items and penalties for candidates ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), scheduled to hold from April 16 to April 25, 2026.
The board said the guidelines are part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of the examination, warning that any violation could attract severe sanctions, including cancellation of results, bans, and possible prosecution under the Examination Malpractice Act.
According to details published on JAMB’s official platform on Tuesday, candidates who fail to present their examination slip will have their results cancelled, while those found in possession of mobile phones, calculators, or other electronic devices risk both cancellation and prosecution.
JAMB further stated that impersonation will attract stricter penalties, including result cancellation, a two-year ban, and prosecution.
Similarly, candidates involved in collusion, mass cheating, or the use of unauthorized materials face a three-year ban in addition to prosecution.
The board also warned against acts of misconduct such as violent or unruly behaviour toward examination officials, noting that offenders would be expelled from the examination hall, have their results cancelled, and face prosecution alongside a three-year ban.
A wide range of items has been banned from examination halls.
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These include mobile phones, wristwatches, calculators, USB drives, books, cameras, microphones, earpieces, and other electronic or smart devices.
Personal items such as bags, wallets, jewellery, ATM cards, and even pens are also prohibited, as only HB pencils will be allowed for the examination.
JAMB emphasised that candidates must undergo strict biometric verification and are advised to arrive early at their designated Computer-Based Test centres.
The examination will be conducted in four daily sessions, with the first session commencing at 8:30 a.m.
The board reiterated its commitment to ensuring a credible and transparent examination process across all accredited centres nationwide, urging candidates to comply fully with all regulations to avoid sanctions.
